The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-12-29
Tobacco Tax Repeal Talked About.
A Special Message To Be Sent to
Congress on the Subject.
The Demand Comes from the Grow
er, Not the Manufacturer.
Speculation as to Lamar's Nomi-
ton Being Confirmed.
John Sherman Says While He VIII
Oppose the Confirmation He
mot Hope to Defeat 1t
Washington News.

Special Dispatch to the Appeal.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 2S.-There is gen.
,ral feeling among members that when
Congress reassembles the President will
,end in Il special message recommending,
in connection with the reduction OF import
iuties, the repeal OF the tobacco tax. The
demand for the repeal OF this tax comes
nom the farmers and not from the manu-
lecturers, and therefore the appeal for free
tobacco in its natural state cannot be ig-
pored. Notwithstanding the large surplus,
he contemplated reductions would create
deficit, providing all the measures call
ing for appropriations should pass the
House and Senate; and the revenue re-
lormers realize this 10 the extent that, to-
gether with the tobacco tax, no reduction
over s60,OOO,0OO is likely to be made. The
lobacco tax being repealed, the customs
duties will not be reduced more than S30,-
100000.
The feeling Is very generally expressed
among the senator's who remain in Wash
ington that the Senate is not likely to stop
any tariff legislation adopted by the House.
They arc impressed with the belief that
such a revenue bill as may como from the
House WILDE conservative and compro-
misc measure, which might command suf-
fcient Republican votes in the Senate, or
which in conference will finally compel
the Senate TO yield II stanchly supported
by the House.
Representative Townshcnd, Of Illinois,
said this morning., with reference 10 the
prospects OF tariff legislation this winter
"From what | can hear" replied Mr..
Townshend, "a tariff bill will be reported
20 the House in February. II will take a
while TO determine how much time can be
allowed for debate before amendments
are introduced, and with that question
settled the House can, in all probability,
get well under way by March and have
the tariff hill ready for the Senate 10 pass
upon. II will, think, reach the President
some time in the spring"
LAMAR's CONFIRMATION.
The friends Of Mr.. Lamar were not par
ticularly opposed TO the postponcment OF
action in his nomination until after the
holidays because they believed the inter
ycning time would serve 20 quiet rather
than 20 increase the opposition. They are
now aware that the opponents Of his con-
firmaiion seized the opportunity for de-
Veloping partisan fight over tho matter
in tho hope OF forring every Republican
senator to vote against his confirmation.
II is now thought that the opposition is in
crcasng somewhat in strength, but the dec
laration OF Senator Sherman that while he
will antagoni1e the confirmation he can.
not hope to defeat Il, is accepted rs an ac-
cuHto indication Of the situation. There
are several Republican senator's who at last
accounts were determined not TO oppose
1amar's confirmation, and the report Of
the judiciary committc will be determined
by the vote OF Senator Eyarts.
PENSIONS GRANTED.
Pensions have been granted as follows:
Tennessee Mexican war services.
Mary H., widow OF Grandson Vomell,
Coal Creek; Judith B., widow oi joel !.
Blackwell. Shclby,illc; Nimrod D. Smith,
Gallatin; Benjamin Valentine, Memphis;
Henry Il. plummcr, Nashville. Increase:
Henry IIavcrkamp, Chattanooga; Wm.
Fortncr, Greencvillc; John W. Boncman,
Kingston. Reissue. Noah Galloway, Fall
Branch.
Arkansas For Mexican war services:
Lucinda, widow OF James Ncrlin, Gun
log Increase: Thomas H. Stewart, Reeds
Creek. Restoration aud reissue: jackson
Underwood, layacca.
rosTNAsrERs APPOINTED.
The following fourth class poslmaslcs
have been appointed:
Arkansas-Wm. NJ Douglass. Casa,
Perry county; ~ q. Callcn, Little star,
kCaroll county.
Mis.issippi'EJohn n. Greer, Cumbcr.
land, Webster county y. T. Brown, Rock
ord, Copiah county.
EXPRESS COMPANIES ASD INTERSTATE LAW.
The formal decision Of the interstate
commerce commission on the question
whether the express companies arc subject
10 the provisions Of the act 10 regulate
commerce was announced today. The
lamcs and organization Of the various ex.
css companies doing business in the
'nited States are given, some OF them
oing corporations under State charters,
omc joint stock companies, differing little
rom partnerships, some being bureaus
rganizod as a branch OF the railroad sorv-
y, and some combinations OF several rail.
pads for the transaction Of the gross bust
CA Of their lines. There Is nothing In
he nature Of express business which pre-
enis lis being carried ON hy an ordinary
artnenhip, or even by an individual,
royided the necessary contracts can be
btained with transportation lines. The
ost usual contract Is one which pays 10
be railroad company 40 per cent. Of the
-oS receipts Of the express company, but
rious other methods Of settlement arc
nployed. The arguments urged by the
sppss companies against their being
paied rs sub Icct 20 the act are considered
n detail. The fact that they perform
~ any other services besides transportation
property such ns the collection Of
hts, ctc.--is not regarded IA o reason
by the act should be treated as applying
their business NJ common carriers,
ice many railroad companies also have
icr business besides that Of transporia-
IN.
The various sections Of Inc act nre con.
crcd with relation 10 the express bust
-, and are bound 20 be In theory as ap.
cable thereto as 70 the business Of rail-
hi companies. In fact, the express com
liics claim that they already abide by
rules established In the act The ne
ring oi annual reports from express
npanics supposed 10 be matter con-
ming which the public have right 10
informed, and Congress may particu.